Maintaining your water heater is an important part of keeping it in good working order. Because these appliances are constantly exposed to water and other substances in the home, they’re extremely susceptible to corrosion and other damage over time. That’s why it’s so important to keep up with water heater maintenance. Even if your home’s water heater has been operating without incident for years, there are still plenty of benefits to keeping up with routine maintenance. Here are some energy-saving tips for water heater maintenance to help you stay ahead of the game. Depending on the type of water heater you have and its location in your home, there may also be energy-saving tips specific to that installation. For example, adding insulation to an exposed water heater is a great energy-savings idea due to its ability to trap heat and block it from escaping the home. Similarly, adding a secondary water heater to an existing one is a good idea because it can provide a source of water during a power outage by using its own supply of fuel to heat the home. There are many different types of water heaters out there, and they vary greatly in size, complexity, and cost. Some are as small as a hot water tank while others are as large as a small house with all of the pipes connected to it. Some are electric, others are gas, and there are even a few that combine the two. Before you get started on your water heater maintenance project, it’ll help to know a little more about these appliances so you can make the most out of your efforts.
To properly maintain a water heater, you need to know its make, model, and age. It’s also helpful to know where the water heater is located in your home and how many people live there. For example, if your water heater is a large one that’s located in the garage, it’s probably not being used as often as it should be. That’s because garages commonly have dirt floors that can make it difficult for water to flow from the pipes to the water heater. If you live in a house with a large family and/or pets, you may want to consider installing a larger water heater that can accommodate all of your needs. There are also indoor and outdoor water heaters. Indoor water heaters are designed to provide water to a single household, while outdoor water heaters are used to supply water to a neighborhood. Outdoor water heaters are usually much larger than indoor water heaters because they’re designed to supply water to a large area.
If your water heater has been in good working order for a long time, a full inspection may not be necessary. However, if you notice anything out of the ordinary (e.g., rust on the tank or smell coming from the pipes), it could be a sign that the water heater needs some attention. A visual inspection of the water heater can help you determine if anything needs to be addressed. If you notice anything suspicious, contact a professional to take a closer look.
Water flowing through the pipes will cause minerals in the water to build up on the inside of the pipes. This build-up can cause the pipes to corrode and fail. As such, it’s important to turn off the water to the shower and the bathtub before doing any water heater maintenance. You can accomplish this by plugging the faucets with a wrench or by turning the water off at the valve located in the wall. If you have a water softener, make sure to use the softener cycle during the times when you’re turning off the water. There are also water softeners that have an on-off switch (and these are worth the extra cost).
If you live in an area with hard water, the water in the pipes will be full of minerals. This can cause a build-up of minerals in the water heater, which can interfere with the water flow. As such, it’s important to clean out the sediment and clean the coils. This can be done by using a strainer to catch the sediment and then using a cleaning brush to clean out the water heater. If you have a water softener, you’ll probably want to clean out the water heater while the softener is operating. If you don’t have a softener, you can clean out the water heater while the water is running through the softener. This will help to move the minerals from the water into the softener.
Another important part of water heater maintenance is to change the water filter. It’s also a good idea to get a carbon filter to add to the water filter. There are also filters that can filter out bacteria, but it’s not recommended to add a bacteria filter to an existing water filter because it may reduce the water pressure. The exact frequency for changing the water filter will depend on the type of water being used, which will affect the amount of minerals in the water. If you have extremely hard water, it may be beneficial to use a water softener. In this case, you’ll want to change the filter more frequently to avoid build-up on the water filter.
You may also want to change the air filter, especially if you live in a smoky or dusty environment. A dirty air filter can lead to lower water pressure and frequent water outages.
A water heater is an important part of any home, but it can also be dangerous if it fails. That’s why it’s so important to keep up with water heater maintenance. Even if your water heater has been operating without incident for years, there are still plenty of benefits to keeping up with routine maintenance. By following these tips, you can ensure that your water heater is in good working order and ready to protect your home when you need it most.